Ellice-Flint surfs to success at Noosa

BYRON Bay surfer Kai Ellice-Flint has inched closer to a spot on the 2025 World Longboard Tour with a runner-up finish at the Noosa Longboard Pro.

Ellice-Flint surfed with style, power and grace to clinch second in the open men’s final, falling 0.40 short of winner Max Weston.

The natural footer was also victorious in the amateur Casa Spirits Men’s Logger division, besting a field of more than 80 surfers.

Ellice-Flint said he was rapt to kick off the year with a win and a runner-up in the WSL competition.

“I don’t think I’ve won here since I was a grom. I’m feeling so stoked,” he said.

“I didn’t feel that ‘on’ out there, I was fumbling a bit and rushing, but I’ve been practising this recollecting thing towards the end of the heat.

“A huge amount of love to CJ Nelson [coach] for helping me with my progression in and out of the water. It’s so great to bounce off ideas.

“I want that world title this year. Up the Aussies.”

Tweed Heads surfer Emma Perrier finished fourth in the women’s WSL division and claimed a win in the World Surfaris Women’s High-Performance Longboard.

“I’m feeling pretty good. It was nice to get a fair few waves during the heat and having fun out there with the girls,” she said.

“It’s come full circle. My first heat of the week was in the old malibu which is the complete opposite of what the high-performance is.

“It’s a really good week to hang out with friends. Everyone has a smile on their face.”